Navigating rapid business growth.

Growing a business from a small team to a large enterprise is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. Many leaders ask how to keep quality high, manage new hires, and avoid chaos as sales and operations expand. This article looks at the key factors to consider when your company experiences rapid growth. We will also highlight personal lessons learned at HEXO, where our co-founder helped grow the company to 1,600 employees, and explore why a strong advisory board and a tool like the Mindspace Review are important.

My Own Growth Journey at HEXO


I co-founded HEXO, which grew from a small group to an international presence with 1,600 employees. That rapid rise demanded clear goals, strong leadership, and a structure that could hold everything together. I shared these lessons in my book, Billion Dollar Startup, which tells the full story of HEXO’s early days and major breakthroughs. One of the main takeaways is that significant growth can strain a company’s systems if you are not ready for it.

Why a Strong Advisory Board Matters


When everything is moving quickly, it helps to have an outside team of experienced advisors. A good advisory board can provide:

  1. Fresh Perspectives: Board members often have insights and strategies based on what has worked in other businesses.

  2. Accountability: They can keep leadership focused on goals and watch for warning signs.

  3. Network Benefits: They might introduce you to partners or clients who can support the next phase of growth.

At Founded Partners, we encourage companies to build or strengthen their advisory boards as they grow. This step can add new expertise when you need it most and help you avoid mistakes that can slow you down.

Using the Mindspace Review


A fast growing company can put extra pressure on leadership teams. The Mindspace Review is a tool that helps you take a step back and evaluate how you are functioning as a leader. It encourages you to:

• Reflect on your leadership style and stress points.
• Identify areas for personal and team improvement.
• Set clear priorities when the pressure of growth is high.

You can learn more by reading our article on the Mindspace Review. It is a good way to gain clarity and focus during a period of rapid expansion.

Key Steps to Manage Rapid Growth

  1. Plan for More Employees: Decide how many people you actually need, and make sure each new hire has a clear role and place in the overall structure.

  2. Protect Company Culture: As you hire quickly, keep your core values and vision front and centre. This helps keep teams aligned.

  3. Improve Processes: Upgrading systems and workflows is crucial when adding new customers and markets. It is wise to automate tasks where possible.

  4. Watch the Numbers: Track cash flow, inventory, and other key data. Rapid growth can be risky if you do not know your financial position.

  5. Keep Communication Open: Share updates on big changes with employees and advisors. Clear updates build trust and reduce the risk of misunderstandings.

How Founded Partners Helps


Founded Partners has direct experience managing the chaos and possibilities of significant growth. Our hands on approach includes:

• Strategy and Structure: We help you define the next steps and build a roadmap for new markets or products.
• Leadership Support: We coach leaders to ensure they have the mindset and skills for big changes.
• Advisory Board Guidance: We can help you find or strengthen a board that offers fresh insights and keeps you on track.
• Operations Expertise: Our team looks at your processes and shows you how to scale them without losing quality.

TL;DR


Navigating significant growth is both exciting and challenging. Drawing on lessons from HEXO and our work with many businesses, we emphasise the value of a strong advisory board, regular leadership check ins, and carefully planned expansion. If you want to learn more about how Founded Partners can guide your company through a time of rapid growth, reach out to us. We understand the pressure of scaling fast and can help you do it in a way that sets you up for lasting success.